Watching This Simulated Star Die Is Mesmerizing…and Good Science Too
Watching This Simulated Star Die Is Mesmerizing…and Good Science Too
By Jason Dorrier
ON May 09, 2015
Traditionally, we’ve done science by observing nature in person or setting up experiments in the lab. Now, a relatively new scientific technique is proving a powerful tool—simulating nature on supercomputers.
A few years ago, Caltech astrophysicists released a supercomputer simulation of a supergiant star’s core collapsing just prior to going supernova. Apart from a stunning visual, simulations like this hinted that Type II supernova explosions were asymmetrical—a guess just recently backed by empirical observation.
It’s worth taking a moment to appreciate what’s going on in the video.
Type II supernovae happen when a massive star exhausts its nuclear fuel. As fusion shuts off, the core collapses, forcing electrons and protons together to form a tightly packed nugget of neutrons. The neutrons can withstand gravity, and the collapse halts and bounces, sending a shock wave through the star’s layers.
More:
http://singularityhub.com/2015/05/09/watching-this-simulated-star-die-is-mesmerizingand-good-science-too/
= new reply since forum marked as read
...wonderfully amazing...and go out just as fast*, with billions of years of relatively calmness...in between.
* if they're the right size
Stars are the Queen of coolness. 
